DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia-- Leaders, partaking in the 29th Arab/Jerusalem Summit, affirmed Sunday the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the importance of the status of eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the future state of Palestine.

In the final communique of the "Jerusalem Summit", held in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, Arab leader stressed the importance of reaching a cohesive and everlasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the 2002 Beirut Summit's Arab peace initiative.

The initiative, the most comprehensive plan to date, called for resolving the final-status issues for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which includes the return of Palestinian refugees to their lands and accepting Israel as a state living in peace side by side with a future Palestinian country.

The Arab leaders condemned in the document the US intentions to relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying that this step jeopardized efforts for peace in the Middle East.

The leaders also refused the US declaration that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, saying that the UN General Assembly's December 2017 vote on the issue had proved to Israel and the US that the international community was against statements hindering Mideast peace.

The final statement reflected the Arab world's eagerness for peace based on a two states solution with eastern Jerusalem allocated for the 1967-border Palestinian state.

The statement also condemned Israeli unilateral steps, which went against the 2016 UNSC resolution 2334 on settlements expansion in Palestine.

Conferees called in their final statement to abide by the outcomes of the Paris 2017 Mideast peace conference, UNSC resolutions on the status of Jerusalem, and all steps aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Oman's delegation

On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, led the Sultanate’s delegation.

Saudi Monarch: Palestine And Its People Are in The Hearts of ArabsAnd Muslims

15 Apr 2018

Saudi Arabia - Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz pledged Sunday $50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and $150 million to the Islamic Waqf Support Program in Jerusalem.

In his speech at the Arab Summit held in the Kingdom today, the Saudi Monarch also declared naming the 29th Arab Summit as "Jerusalem Summit" so that everyone is well aware that "Palestine and the Palestinian people are in the hearts of Arabs and Muslims."

Saudi Arabia - Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a speech at the Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday that "the current challenges call for dialogue on the priorities of Arab national security."

He also stressed "the need to support the vision of President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the Palestinian issue."

"Iranian interventions in our region do not aim for the good of Arabs" added the Secretary-General.

"Iran has supported rogue gangs in Yemen to threaten the security of Saudi Arabia and we ought to show solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its actions to maintain its security," he noted.

Aboul Gheit called on Arab leaders to "support the League to meet its financial deficit to enable it to activate its role."

Saudi Arabia - President of the Republic Michel Aoun expressed Sunday his apprehension against clues of a harmful policy drawn for the region, which will undermine all Arab countries in case of its success.

In his speech at the 29th Arab Summit held in Dhahran in Saudi Arabia today, the President questioned whether to wait for such negative plots to address their impact, or act immediately in adopting preventive measures against their occurrence.

Aoun deemed that "the international war on the Arab territories is no longer conducted by proxy, but is heading towards a direct confrontation."

He said that in the event of the outbreak of such a direct conflict, it would destroy what still remains in terms of stability and economy in the Arab countries.

In this context, the President stressed the pressing need to launch a rescue initiative against fragmentation currently witnessed on the Arab scene.

"Would a pioneering practical initiative, leading to the reunification of the land and choosing dialogue as a way to solve problems, be launched from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?" questioned Aoun.

He recalled that the Lebanese experience has proved that dialogue is the only solution to disputes, an experience that must be a model to be followed by Arab countries stricken by internal conflicts.

On the Palestinian issue, Aoun emphasized that "the Palestinian cause is the basis of instability in the Middle East."

"International complacency, not to say international complicity, for all that Israel has done for decades, from destruction to displacement and seizing of rights, has been the root of the problem," he said.

The President went on to caution that Jerusalem is about to be officially lost, contrary to all laws and Security Council resolutions. Hence, he questioned, "Will we allow Jerusalem to be lost?"

"The Arab peace initiative that emerged from the summit meeting in Beirut is still the only reference that enjoys the Arab brethrens unanimous consent...a consensus that can be built upon to resume efforts that lead to a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian cause," Aoun underscored.

On the Lebanese side, the President noted that Lebanon endured the largest waves of Syrian exodus to its territories by virtue of geography and neighborhood, exceeding its capacity for absorption and treatment.

The President finally stressed that "this problem concerns all of us, and should not be borne only by Syria's neighbors."

President Aoun Meets With Saudi Monarch

15 Apr 2018

Saudi Arabia - President of the Republic Michel Aoun is currently meeting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, in the presence of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Gebran Bassil.

Meeting With Jordanian Monarch, SideMeeting With Egyptian President

15 Apr 2018

Saudi Arabia- President of the Republic Michel Aoun held a summit meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, attended by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Gebran Bassil and members of the Jordanian delegation at the Arab Summit held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The encounter was a chance to review bilateral relations and ways of enhancing cooperation in various fields, especially in the military sector and training of the Lebanese armed forces.

Discussions also dwelt on the situation in the region and recent developments in wake of the American, British and French strikes on Syria; in addition to the Arab Summit deliberations and work agenda.

At the sidelines of the Summit, President Aoun also met with his Egyptian Counterpart Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi, with talks touching on bilateral relations, the Arab situation and the work of the Dhahran Summit.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during the opening session of the 29th Arab Summit

HH KuwaitAmir: "Sky of our Arab nation is overcast; joint action is stagnant if not paralyzed at times"

15/04/2018

Sky of our Arab nation is overcast; joint action is stagnant if not paralyzed at times, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said on Sunday.

The remark came at the beginning of His Highness's speech at the opening session of the 29th Arab Summit, which inaugurated earlier in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

His Highness offered condolences to the Algerian people over military plane crash near Boufarik Airport that killed and wounded hundreds, asking Almighty Allah to bestow mercy upon those who have been killed and speedy recovery to those wounded.

His Highness carried on saying on the Arab current state of affairs that "before such hurtful facts, the convening of this Summit under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is seen as a fresh start that would revive hopes of the people of this nation, as well as an outlet for the state of frustration they are living. Therefore, it is demanded from us to double efforts in order to solve our differences; a challenge that is weakening us and giving leverage to those who wish us harm." His Highness the Amir also called for addressing deficiencies marring the Arab joint action through invigorating recommendations and resolutions.

"Through its non-permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council, my country; Kuwait, will relentlessly work to defend Arab causes, as well as contribute in re-activating the role of the Council in lessening impacts of such inactivity. You might have followed such efforts, which led to the unanimous adoption of resolution 2401 regarding recent developments in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, which unfortunately was hindered due to recent escalations.

"The now eight-year-long conflict in Syria, which led to a humanitarian crisis, makes hearts bleed, as it reveals the unfortunate incapacity and double-standardness of the international community in dealing with this file. Such community condemns, and might take some measures for a sporadic explosion here or there. However, at the same time, stands helpless to denounce or take action in favor of hundreds of thousands of killed, injured and displaced people in Syria.

"Thus, Kuwait have not, and will not, hesitate to fulfill its humanitarian obligations in regards to helping the brotherly Syrian people in its plight." On the latest developments on ground, His Highness said, "We have been following; with utmost concern, the latest air strikes, which came as a deterrent for the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. We reiterate that these developments, once again, took place because of the United Nations Security Council's inability to reach a political solution for the conflict in Syria.

"We are looking forward for the Council to overcome differences among its members and show unity so as to shoulder its historic responsibility in preserving international peace and stability."

On Iraq, His Highness the Amir congratulated the Iraqi people on liberating all of their territories from the so-called organization, "Daesh," noting that Kuwait had organized the successful international conference for rebuilding Iraq. He expressed hope that parliamentary elections in Iraq, due next month, would be successful and would represent various segments of the Iraqi people.

His Highness the Amir condemned recurring missile attacks on Saudi Arabia from Yemen, praising role of the states participating in the coalition for restoring legitimacy to Yemen, namely their role in tackling difficult humanitarian conditions in the troubled country.

He expressed deep distress at Washington's decision to transfer its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in violation of international legitimacy resolutions.

"I call from this platform upon the US Administration to rescind its decision and play its role as sponsor of this (peace) process," he said.

The Security Council, His Highness noted, should have taken action toward the recent killing of scores of Palestinians.

As to Libya, His Highness hoped conciliation efforts would restore security to this nation.

On terrorism, His Highness Sheikh Sabah called for doubling efforts to wipe out terrorism.

Regarding Iran, His highness urged Tehran to abide by international laws, good neighborliness principles and abstain from meddling in regional states' affairs.

Saudi Arabia-- All involved parties in the Middle East peace process should abide by international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative to bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said Jordanian King Abdullah II Sunday.

Delivering his speech as chairman of the 28th Arab Summit, King Abdullah II told conferees of the current 29th summit, also dubbed as Jerusalem's Summit, that Palestinians have the right to an independent state within 1967 borders and eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the future nation.

The Jordanian monarch said that all Arabs should unite to support Palestinians to achieve their dream of an independent state, affirming in this regard that it was important for Arab countries to continue assisting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its programs.

King Abdullah II took the chance to congratulate Iraq on its victory against the so-called Islamic State (IS), affirming that Iraqis should follow this success with efforts for stability in the political and security domain.

On the situation in Syria, the Jordanian King said that the conflict there should be resolved peacefully in a manner that ensures the unity of Syrians and their land.

He affirmed that Arab countries were eager to live in peace with their neighbors, adding that it was important for countries in the region to respect each other's sovereignty.

The 29th Arab Summit was opened by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud with the participation of various Arab leaders in addition to regional and international figures.

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia-- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was among leaders present at a luncheon held by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Sunday, in honor of state leaders gathered for the 29th Arab Summit.

DHAHRAN- His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 29th Arab Summit, currently held in Dhahran, with President Beji Caid Essebsi, President of Tunisia.

They discussed items on the summit's agenda and expressed confidence that it will result in positive resolutions that would serve the interests of Arab national causes.

The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation.

Mohammed bin Rashid meets Sudanese President

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has met with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on the sidelines of the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

The two sides discussed the Summit's agenda.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid praised the organisational efforts of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to host the Summit.